Reflexive participant collaboration: researching ‘with’ adult migrant learners of English

Abstract

This article explores a method of collecting in-situ data created by adult migrants attending English language classes to investigate the interindividual variance of vulnerability within this population. The study encourages reflexivity to evaluate and redress the power relationships present both in the research process and the daily lives of the migrants, whilst also building trust between the researcher and participants. I argue that weekly text message data, generated by participants and arranged as graphs for online interviews, empowers participants to take ownership of their research contribution and encourages deeper reflections to share the stories behind the messages.